Текст книги "The Queen From Provence"
Автор книги: Jean Plaidy
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Chapter III
THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND
The crossing was stormy but Eleanor discovered with relief that she was not a bad sailor. It would have been undignified to have arrived in her new country wracked by the seasickness which had affected some of the company. Her uncle was beside her as they stood on the deck watching as the ship approached England. The cliffs rose white and stark out of that frothy grey sea and there could not have been a land more different from Provence. Uncle William put his hand over hers as though to reassure her, but she did not need his comfort. She was excited. Grey seas and cool winds were unimportant. So long she had wanted this marriage; ever since Marguerite had left them to be the bride of the King of France she had wanted the crown of England as the only one to compare with that of Marguerite, and having seen Marguerite, dominated by her mother-in-law, she no longer envied her. That was why she could stand beside her uncle at the approach to England with the utmost confidence in her future.
Now they had come so close to land that she could see the bold grey towers of that castle perched high on the hill, menacing, formidable, defiant. It had been graphically called the Key to England, and she thought the name apt. That key was being given to her; and she would employ soft words and subtle manners until this land was hers to command. Everything depended on her husband, and she would shortly discover what manner of man he was and whether her task would be easy.
‘You are on the threshold of a new life, my child,’ said Uncle William. ‘So much will depend on you. I trust you realise what this means.’
‘I do,’ replied Eleanor.
‘You will have me to guide you.’
She nodded.
‘I shall do that whatever the opposition,’ he went on.
‘You expect opposition?’
‘There is always opposition in Courts. So much depends on the King.’
Now the castle was taking on definite shape. The great keep which had been built by the bridegroom’s grandfather dominating the great pile of stones. It was impossible not to be impressed by all that magnificence of Kentish rag mingled with that Caen stone which had been brought from Normandy by the same Henry II. As she gazed at those great buttresses rising into turrets, Eleanor could not help but be moved, for they symbolised the might of England. They had arrived.
Henry had decided that he would greet his bride at Canterbury where the Archbishop would be waiting to perform the marriage ceremony. He was beside himself with excitement at the prospect of at last having her with him. So much had gone wrong with his previous attempts that he had begun to believe fate had decided against his marrying; but on this occasion his bride was actually in England and in a short time would be with him.
Everyone was delighted. It had been a source of some dismay that he having reached the age of twenty-eight should not have married so far. He should have had a nursery full of sons by now. Never mind. It was going to happen at last. His bride was very young, only fourteen years of age; but that was not too young for a royal bride. It was a great pleasure – and a change to do something that gratified both himself and the people at the same time.
Yes, it was indeed true that everyone was delighted that he was to marry. Hubert de Burgh thought it time and that since the eldest daughter of the Count of Provence was the wife of the King of France it was no bad thing that his second daughter should be Queen of England. Even old Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, believed that the marriage was necessary for state reasons. As for Henry’s brother Richard, he regarded himself as the one who had brought it about (which indeed he had been) so therefore he, seeing himself as a policy maker, was all in favour of it.
There was no dissenting factor in whichever direction he looked and with a light heart Henry set out to greet his bride.
She rode on a white palfrey and her hair fell about her shoulders; on her head was a diadem to proclaim her royalty. She was dressed in blue with touches of gold thread, and her long semicircular cloak was fastened by jewelled buckles held together by a golden chain. Henry looked at her and his heart leaped with exultation. Eleanor la Belle was aptly named.
He thought: She is indeed the most beautiful girl in the world – and she is my Queen.
In that moment he knew that well worth while were the long wait, the disappointments and frustrations during that time when he had thought that Fate had decided he should never have a bride.
He took her hands in his and kissed them.
‘Welcome,’ he said. ‘My heart swells with delight at the sight of you.’
No words could have made her happier or more sure of herself.
She said: ‘I am happy to come.’
She studied her husband-to-be. He was not tall, but neither was he short. He did not look in the least delicate; in fact he was more robust than his brother Richard and bore some resemblance to him. She noticed that distinguishing feature which she had never seen in any other: his eyelid falling over one eye so as to conceal the pupil might have given him a look which could have been sinister if he were angry. But at this time, when it was clear that he was filled with delight, it was merely interesting. By her standards he was quite old; this did not displease her, because his maturity but called attention to her charming youth.
Riding between the King and Uncle William she rode into Canterbury. It was one of those occasions when it seemed to be the most delightful prospect in the world to be a King and Queen. In the streets banners fluttered; the people had gathered everywhere to see them pass. They called loyal greetings; they smiled and cheered.
Eleanor could not quite understand them but Henry told her: ‘They are amazed by your beauty.’
Richard was there to greet her warmly as an old friend.
‘What a good day for England when you decided to write a poem about my country,’ he whispered.
‘You think that but for that it would never have happened?’
‘I am sure of it,’ he answered, determined that she should remember and be grateful to him.
He looked at her longingly. How enchanting with the dew of youth on her; with that perfection of feature and those serene eyes where intelligence was as clear to see as all their beauty.
Richard was envious. This fair young girl for Henry and for him an ageing wife. He did not grow to love his Isabella more as the years passed; and the Pope would not allow him to put her from him. Life was unfair. He reminded himself that he had his adorable son, Henry after his royal uncle, and Isabella was his mother. Yes, he had Henry, but that did not prevent his grudging Henry this lovely girl.
The King was much aware of his envy; it delighted him. As for Eleanor he could not take his eyes from her. He had already given her jewels of such magnificence as she had never seen in Provence and even Marguerite’s could not compare with these.
She was going to be happy here. She was ready to love this man with those strange-looking eyes who was already doting on her when so far she had done nothing but look beautiful which was the easiest thing in the world to do.
She had brought several of the women from Provence with her, though her father had warned her that often when brides married into foreign lands their husbands dismissed their attendants and supplied others of his choice.
She would keep hers with her, she promised herself. She was not going to speak English all the time, though she had a fair knowledge of it and because she could pick up languages easily she would learn quickly. Sometimes, though, she would want to speak her native Provençal and recall memories of her childhood with those who shared them. Perhaps that would be the first battle between her and Henry. She would welcome it because it would give her an insight into how much she would be able to lead him.
The marriage was to take place immediately in Canterbury and the ceremony would be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury; afterwards she and her husband would ride to London for the festivities.
In her apartment in the Archbishop’s palace her Uncle William came to see her. She could see by the brilliance of his eyes and colour in his face that he was excited.
He took her into his arms and held her against him for some seconds before he said with emotion: ‘I am proud of you.’
‘Why, Uncle, what have I done?’
‘You have enchanted the King. I see that.’
‘Is that not what is to be expected?’ she asked.
‘It is to be hoped for – and rarely does it happen as it has this day. I can see that he loves you already. Oh, my child, this is a good day for the House of Savoy.’
‘And for England I hope,’ said Eleanor.
‘Aye, for England. Tomorrow you will be a Queen – and after this ceremony here in the great Cathedral, you will go to Westminster for your crowning. My child. I never thought this could be possible. We rejoiced at Marguerite’s good fortune … and now you. Two Queens …’
‘Romeo de Villeneuve told Father that he would make each of his daughters a queen.’
‘Let us be thankful that his prophecy has come true for two of them.’
‘Poor Sanchia and Beatrice! I’ll warrant they are envying me. My parents will be telling them now of our stay in Champagne and at the Court of France. I can picture it.’
‘Let us concern ourselves with your future, my dear.’
‘That is a matter in which I have great interest.’
‘I believe the King will be guided by you … if you are clever.’
‘I am clever, Uncle. It is my cleverness which brought me here.’
‘Oh, I know the story of the poem, and I know well your skill with words and music. But I was thinking of other skills. We have yet to discover whether you possess those.’
‘If I do not now, I soon will, Uncle.’
‘Like the King, I rejoice in you. Moreover I have taken a liking to this land, Eleanor.’
‘That pleases me since it is to be mine.’
‘You realise, do you not, that your husband can play a very big part in the history of Europe. I want it to be a part which brings good to England … to Provence and to Savoy. For that reason I should like to be here to guide you … both.’
‘You mean you do not wish to go home.’
He looked at her steadily. ‘I want to stay here, Eleanor. You will need me. I want to look after you. You are a clever girl. Oh, I know that well, but you are so young and cleverness is often no good substitute for experience. No more of this now. It may be that you will have some influence with your husband, and if you do …’
‘I have formed the opinion that my husband will wish to please me,’ she said.
William Bishop Elect of Valence smiled. He felt that was enough for the moment.
On the evening before her wedding Eleanor had sat beside Henry at table in the palace and he had talked to her of his country and his interests and they were delighted to find hers were similar. He was a great admirer of the poets and he told her that he had read again and again the magnificent epic she had written and sent to his brother of Cornwall. He would never forget that it had, in some measure, brought her to him.
He could not take his eyes from her. He told her that he had not lived until he saw her, that he rejoiced that he had waited for marriage until now – although he had been tempted to undertake it before. The fates had saved him for this, because he had known as soon as he had set eyes on Eleanor, no one else would suit him.
All this was intoxicating, as was the admiration of his courtiers, and her contentment added to her beauty. She could talk freely with Henry for he spoke her native Provençal. Then she tried her English which he declared was enchanting and he wanted to issue a law that all the English should speak their tongue as she did.
There was only one who was not susceptible to her charm and that was the old Archbishop of Canterbury. Much did she care. Poor old man. He was supposed to be a saint and all knew how dull they were. It was said that he ordered monks to beat him with horsehair thongs; that knotted rope cloth was tied about his body where best it could torment it; that he never went to bed but spent nights sitting in meditation or on his knees.
A most uncomfortable man and one she hoped she would see little of.
But he was the Archbishop of Canterbury and it was he who married them in the great Cathedral – Henry told her that this most impressive edifice and Westminster Abbey were the first two churches to be built by the Normans in England. How solemn was the ceremony. Eleanor was deeply conscious of her uncle William and remembering what he had said to her, was overwhelmed by the importance of what was happening and when they went to the palace for the wedding banquet she was somewhat grave. So was Henry, but none the less loving.
She sat beside him and he fed her the best pieces of the food which had been put on his platter. He was very tender and assured her that his greatest wish was that she should be happy.
She told him that as soon as she had heard he had chosen her for his bride she had felt exalted, and then a little fearful that she might not please him. Now that he had shown her that she did, she could experience only happiness.
The next day they were to leave for London where the real celebrations would begin.
‘The people of London are jealous of their privileges,’ he explained. ‘The marriage of course should take place in Canterbury and be celebrated by our premier churchman. But it is London which will decide whether it is going to love you or not.’
‘What do I have to do to make it?’ she asked.
‘All you need to do, my Queen, is to sit on your white horse and smile at them.’
‘They are easily pleased,’ she replied.
‘Nay, they are the most difficult people to please in my country. And woebetide the ruler who does not please them. They have memories as long as their river Thames and no compunction in showing their displeasure.’
‘Then I must indeed put forth my best smile. But you are a King and would not allow them to dislike me, I know.’
‘I can see you already have a good opinion of your husband.’
And so they talked while his fond eyes never left her.
When they were alone in the chamber prepared for them he was a little uneasy.
He said: ‘You are very young. I would not displease you for the world.’
‘You please me greatly, my lord,’ she answered.
‘I fear that your opinion might change.’
‘I do not fear,’ she answered, ‘so why should you?’
‘You are but fourteen years of age. It is very young,’ he said.
‘Princesses are ripe early, my lord. I understand full well. As your wife, the Queen, I am expected to give you an heir to the nation. I am ready.’
‘You can know nothing of these matters, child that you are.’
She put up her hands and taking his face in them kissed it.
‘When I was very young I read the works of our poets. They always seemed to write of love. Unrequited love; fulfilled love. I observed much, my lord. I know there is even more that I do not know, but you will teach me. That is a husband’s duty, is it not? I can only say, Henry, my King and husband, that I am ready.’
Then he held her tightly in his arms and said that he had never dared dream of such delight.
And she knew that from henceforth he would be her slave.
Side by side they rode to London.
As they passed through the country men, women and children ran from their cottages. The weather was cold for it was January, but wrapped in her cloak lined with vair and edged with miniver Eleanor did not notice this. The frosty air put a pinkness into her cheeks and a sparkle into her eyes. It seemed to Henry that she grew more beautiful every day.
As they approached the city of London the crowds intensified.
‘Long live the King! Long live the Queen!’ The loyal cries of the people were something she would remember throughout her life, particularly on less happy occasions.
And so they came into the capital city.
Across the streets banners had been fixed; silk hangings fell from the windows. There were gleaming lamps and tapers; everywhere were displayed the two crowns – those of the King and the Queen. Most marvellous of all the citizens, proud of their city, had swept away all the dirt and refuse which usually marred it; many of them had scrubbed the cobbles clean and what was most startling to those who knew it well was the sweet cleanliness everywhere.
All the dignitaries of the City were present and they were determined to impress the new Queen with their splendour. They followed the procession from the City to Westminster where, the King told the Queen, they would act as butlers.
‘It is a custom for the leading citizens to do this on a coronation,’ he added. ‘They are very jealous of their traditions and determined to cling to them.’
‘This seems a good one,’ said the Queen.
They certainly presented a colourful sight in their silk garments and gold-woven mantles. Their horses had been newly caparisoned and between them they carried three hundred and sixty gold and silver cups; and the King’s trumpeters rode before them sounding their trumpets while the people cheered.
And with all the pomp and ceremony of a royal coronation Eleanor of Provence was crowned Queen of England.
After the ceremony, the feast. Eleanor had never seen such splendour. She wondered whether Marguerite’s coronation had been as splendid. She doubted it. Louis would not have cared for so much extravagance – as for Blanche she would have wanted to play the central part and as she could scarcely do that at Marguerite’s coronation she would want as little display as possible.
How different was Henry! Henry could not do enough for his Queen. He loved the spectacle because it was for her.
How thrilling it was to walk beside the King, wearing her newly acquired crown, while over her head was a silk canopy held up with four silver lances carried by four knights – two on either side of her. Over the King was held a similar canopy, his supported by barons of the Cinque ports.
There she sat beside the King at the high table and on their right were the archbishops, bishops and abbots and on their left the earls and highest nobles of the land.
Eleanor particularly noticed the Seneschal because of his air of distinction. He was a man who would stand out in any company.
‘Who is he?’ Eleanor asked the King.
‘Oh … the Seneschal. He is Simon de Montfort – an ambitious young man.’
‘I have heard his name.’
‘It would be doubtless his father of whom you heard. He was Simon de Montfort l’Amaury, Captain General of the French forces in the war against the Albigensians. A man of much military skill and cruelty.’
‘And is the son like the father?’
‘Nay, but he is a man of good sense, I believe. He will climb through a shrewd mind rather than a sword. There is a battle of sorts going on now between him and Norfolk. This office of Seneschal which he now fulfils he insists belongs to the Earls of Leicester. He, through his grandfather’s marriage into the Leicester family, has claimed the title. The Earl of Norfolk declares the office belongs to him.’
‘So they have fought over the honour to serve us?’
‘That is so.’
‘And Simon de Montfort won. That does not surprise me.’
It had occurred to her that he was a man to watch so she would learn all she could of him. At this moment the King was a little restive to see her interest in another man so she dismissed the subject of de Montfort and asked Henry to explain the formalities of the banquet. This he was happy to do.
He told her that Walter de Beauchamp, who had laid the salt cellar and the knives would claim them, after the banquet, as his fee. The Lord Mayor, Andrew Benkerel, was officiating in the butlery with the three hundred and sixty gold and silver cups which had been brought so ceremoniously through the streets.
All those who served would take away some item from the table – it might be a gold or silver knife, one of the Seneschal’s robes, or the cup from which the King and Queen had drunk … whatever it was, they fought for what they considered their rights and Eleanor commented that perhaps it was out of the desire for gain rather than loyalty which made them so eager to serve the King.
But it was a merry banquet and the new Queen was very conscious of her uncle’s eyes upon her. It delighted her to be so admired. She was not only beautiful but she was wise. Uncle William had suggested that she could do much to help her country – and Savoy in which he was naturally mainly interested.
The future seemed very bright to her. She had wanted to vie with Marguerite. But she had done more than that.
It was true that many would say Louis was the more handsome husband of the two. He was nearer Marguerite’s age and Henry was double Eleanor’s. Never mind. What cared she? There was no dominating mother-in-law to be grappled with here. It seemed to Eleanor that in England she had a clear field.
After the banquet the tables were cleared away and the company sat about the hall – some on the stone seats cut out of the wall; others on chests which contained some of the King’s gold and silver; some sat on stools. The King and Queen were close to the fire in their chairs of state; and the minstrels and jongleurs were brought in to amuse the company while the squires served sweetmeats and hot spiced wine.
On a stool close to the Queen sat the Princess Eleanor, the King’s sister, a young woman of about twenty-one, and she was joined by her brother Richard who never lost an opportunity of being near the young Queen.
Richard asked Eleanor what she thought of English hospitality to which she replied that it was the most lavish she had ever encountered.
‘A Queen is not crowned every day,’ Richard reminded her.
‘A mercy,’ retorted Eleanor. ‘A country needs only one Queen and once she and her husband are crowned there is an end to coronations for many years to come.’
‘Amen,’ murmured Richard.
The Princess Eleanor looked at her brother with some amusement, the Queen noticed.
She studied Eleanor – her namesake. In nothing else did they resemble each other.
The Queen asked her sister-in-law if she would remain at Court for she believed she had recently come from the country.
The Princess replied that the Queen was right. She had been staying at the house of her sister-in-law. She looked at Richard. The Queen had heard that Richard was married to an ageing wife of whom he was tired. News travelled swiftly round courts and Uncle William had already discovered this. He had said that it was well that she should be kept informed of all matters concerning the country and her new family. It made her feel like a conspirator.
‘That must have been pleasant,’ said the Queen and there was a question in her voice.
The Princess hesitated. ‘The Countess of Cornwall is very sick, my lady. She is often downcast because of this …’ another look at Richard … ‘and other matters.’ The Princess was of a rebellious nature. She was clearly fond of the sister-in-law and deplored her brother’s attitude – nor did she hesitate to show it. Interesting! thought the Queen. She threw a slightly coquettish glance at Richard for she knew he admired her, and she guessed that he would have delighted to have her as his bride in place of this ageing woman he had married.
The Princess Eleanor went on: ‘But she has a most beautiful boy. That’s true is it not, brother?’
Now there was animation in his face. He doted on the boy at least. ‘He is a fine little fellow,’ said Richard. ‘Advanced for his age. Is that not so, sister?’
‘I thank God for him for Isabella’s sake,’ said Eleanor, and that was a reproach again.
That the Princess Eleanor was an outspoken and forthright young woman was becoming clear and being about seven years older than the Queen she was inclined to regard her as a child.
No matter, thought the Queen. As yet that would be well enough. She glanced about the room and saw coming towards the royal party, the Seneschal of the banquet, the man who had been pointed out to her as Simon de Montfort.
He made his obeisance to the King first, then to the Queen.
Henry said: ‘Have you settled your differences with Norfolk, Simon?’
‘My lord, I had right on my side. He could not dispute that.’
‘I knew you would be the victor, Simon,’ said the King.
Clearly, thought Eleanor, her husband had a feeling of friendship for this man.
Richard, who had noticeably been a little depressed by his sister’s reference to his marriage, began to talk to Simon de Montfort and as the King turned to one of the barons on his right – the Queen and Princess Eleanor with Simon and Richard formed a small group.
They talked of the banquet and the richness of it and how the various servers would demand their reward in the gifts they would carry off from the King’s table. Richard had seated himself at the Queen’s feet and discussed with her the crusade on which he intended soon to embark. Simon was talking to the Princess.
Richard asked if the Queen had heard from Provence and said he would never forget sitting in the great hall there and listening to the minstrels and the content he had found in the home of the Count and Countess, and their three beautiful daughters.
‘Each one worthy to be a Queen,’ he said. ‘The Queen of France … the Queen of England … What awaits the lovely Sanchia, think you, my lady?’
‘I can only hope that she is as fortunate as her two elder sisters.’
‘The Queen of France … do you think she is as content with her lot as the Queen of England with hers?’
‘I do not think that would be possible. Besides, she has a very domineering mother-in-law. I fortunately have escaped that.’
‘By the skin of your teeth. It would have been a different story if my mother had not decided to marry out of the country.’
‘Ah, but she did. So we need not consider her.’
‘She is a woman one would always have to consider while she lived.’
‘But at least she is not here to order me … as Mar …’
She paused. Uncle William had said that she must be diplomatic and never forget that she was no longer merely a child in a nursery. She was a queen … and so was Marguerite.
‘Madam,’ said Richard smiling into her eyes, ‘me-thinks you would never be one to be so ordered.’
‘I think you may be right.’
‘You know I am right.’
The Princess Eleanor had undergone a change; her eyes sparkled, her cheeks were flushed and she looked very pretty. Simon de Montfort had had his effect on her.
There is so much to learn, thought the Queen, and although I am clever, I am very young and inexperienced. Fortunately she had Uncle William at hand to help her.
She kept thinking of Richard’s words. ‘Me-thinks you would never be one to be so ordered.’ Admiration was there, but speculation too. Yes, Uncle William was right. She had a great deal to learn; she must curb the impulse to say what pleased her. She must be watchful of everyone around her.
The coronation and the state banquet had been a revelation and the importance of her position had been brought home to her. It was due to all those fierce-looking barons assembled to do their homage to her and the King; but she knew something of the history of England and it was many of these very barons who had turned against Henry’s father, King John, and forced him to sign Magna Carta and then because he failed to keep his word, brought in the French to take the throne.
Uncle William was right. She needed him.
How much did Henry wish to please her? she wondered. In the intimacy of their domestic life it appeared that there was nothing he would not do. But she was wise enough to know that a King’s private life and his public one were two very different matters.
During the last few days she had been presented with girls of her own age whose fathers performed some service at the Court and she knew that these girls wished to take service in her household. It was the custom when a royal bride came from a foreign country to send back those attendants whom she had brought with her and to select others from her new country, to make the newcomer realise that she now belonged to her new land.
Every Princess protested at this and of course she would. How could she be expected to say good-bye to old friends and welcome strangers? But it was the custom, and she would be expected to submit to it.
It would be a test. If she succeeded she would know that there would be no difficulty. It would be an indication of whether she was as skilled as she believed herself to be.
They were at last alone and in their chamber.
He turned to her and taking her hands drew her towards him.
‘Well, little bride,’ he said, ‘what think you of your King and his country?’
‘I think I am the luckiest Princess in the world.’
‘Then I am happy.’
‘I have a King,’ she said, ‘who shows his love for me by his indulgence. What more could I ask than that?’
‘You are right, my little love. There is nothing I would not give you.’
Now was the moment. Her heart was beating fast. Dare she? Was it too soon? Perhaps she should have asked Uncle William first.
‘You must not make rash promises, Henry, which you might not be able to keep.’
‘I … not be able to keep my promises! Why, my dearest, have you forgotten that I am the King?’
She understood him. He was very anxious that everyone should remember that. He was one to assert his royalty which must mean that within him he sensed some weakness. Henry was no fool. He was clever, but sometimes such cleverness as his was a hindrance rather than a help. In his heart he would know of his inadequacies and would do his best to hide them or deceive people into believing they did not exist. Hence his desire that all should recognise his royalty; hence his sudden quick temper when he thought himself slighted, his affability when he thought he needed a man’s friendship.
‘No, I do not forget,’ she answered. ‘But your barons are formidable men.’
‘Did you think so?’
‘Yes, I did.’
‘Were any disrespectful to you?’
‘None. They accept me as their Queen, I know well. I shall be happy here when I am used to it. I am thankful that I have some friends about me.’
‘They will soon be longing for the blue skies of Provence.’
